Fluorescence and Bioluminescence of the Skin

Overview

According to Stokes law by absorption of photons from emitting radiation longer wave lengthradiation, fluorescence, is stimulated. The phenomenon of fluorescence resembles others such asphosphorescence, chemi-, tribo-, electro-, lyo-, bioluminescence. In dermatology it is used since 1925,Wood’s lamp was discovered in 1903. There exists primary fluorescence of the healthy skin as wellas many pathological processes which are listed in tables and attention is drawn to some lesscommonly used diagnostic possibilities. Frequently also secondary fluorescence is used, i.e. various(incl. intravital) fluorochromes (most frequently fluorescein). This makes possible e.g. the diagnosisof scabies, pigment affections (vitiligo), some contact allergens. There is wide use of immunofluorescentlaboratory and microscopic methods. Last but not least, fluorescence is used for detection ofdrugs, in particular antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline) and other chemical substances (dihydroxyacetone).Fluorescence is used also to check the use of preventive preparations for skin protection.It is undergoing brisk development in the therapeutic and diagnostic application of photodynamicallyactive substances in particular porphyrin derivatives. New highly sensitive optoelectronicelements make it possible to introduce spectrofluorimeters into practice.

Key words:
skin fluorescence - Wood’s lamp - primary and secondary fluorescence - applicationof fluorescence - photodynamic diagnosis and therapy - assessment and recording of fluorescence -bioluminescence